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Adhesive

Adhesive

Industrial adhesives, products not found in home supply stores, are used to bond synthetic turf seams and inserts, and, in some applications, a total glue down of the synthetic turf to the base. Synthetic turf adhesives should be applied by experienced, professional installers. The adhesives should provide a strong, hazard-free, and durable bond between adjacent turf panels or sections and to be usable for installation under variable weather conditions. The adhesive should also be resistant to water, fungus, and mildew. Synthetic turf adhesives include: one-part adhesives (urethane), two-part (epoxy or urethane), hot melt, and water-based (latex) and one-part, solvent/isocyanate free adhesive (SMP).

Aggregate Base (or Base Materials)

Construction and Installation

The aggregate base on which the synthetic turf is installed provides a structurally sound foundation for field construction, and a media for drainage of the field. The base is designed to ensure that once the field is in place, it never moves. A good geotechnical report will provide essential information for a firm and stable base for the synthetic turf.

Antimicrobial

Additive

An agent that kills microbes. Can be effective on bacteria and/or fungi. Can be applied topically or embedded in fiber or infill.

Antistatic Properties

Turf

Resisting the tendency to produce annoying static electric shocks in situations where friction of the foot tread builds up static in low-humidity conditions.

ASTM

Standards Organization

The American Society for Testing and Materials. An international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services.

Backing

Backing

Materials comprising the back of the turf, as opposed to the turf or face. The adhesive backing refers to the urethane or latex coating. Turf backing refers to the stabilizing fabrics that are used to secure the fiber tufts.

Ball-Surface Interaction

Performance

Ball-surface interaction describes the performance characteristics of the field that relate to the ways in which the ball reacts to the surface. It is important that the ball perform as close as possible to the optimal performance characteristics for the sport or sports being played on the field. Therefore, measurements of vertical ball rebound, angled ball rebound, and ball roll, are taken to compare against the published standards of the regulatory organization(s) applicable to each sport.

Brushing (or Grooming)

Maintenance

Periodic brushing or grooming of the synthetic turf surface by a static (non-rotary) double brush is important to redistribute the infill evenly throughout the field, ensure that the exposed part of the fiber is uniform in its direction and is vertical, and helps remove litter, leaves, etc. The brushing activities should conform to the written maintenance guidelines provided by the installation company.

Cleaning

Maintenance

The periodic use of a vacuum, sweeper or blower should be applied to keep the synthetic surface clean. This equipment should be compatible with synthetic turf fields. This typically means wider tires and softer nylon type brushes. The cleaning activities should conform to the written maintenance suggested guidelines provided by the synthetic installation builder.

Collection

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

Logistical process of moving (plastics) waste from its source to a place where it can be recovered.

Compaction

Construction and Installation

The field base materials should be thoroughly compacted to prevent any significant differential settlement across the area of synthetic turf surfacing. The appropriate moisture content must be maintained in the base materials to allow for optimal levels of compaction. Compaction can also mean an unwanted condition of the infill. De-compacting the infill using special maintenance equipment will improve drainage, g-max, safety, and playability.

Contaminant

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

Unwanted substance or material defined according to the intended use.

Crumb Rubber and Coated Rubber Infill

Infill

Crumb Rubber is derived from scrap car and truck tires that are ground up and recycled. Two types of crumb rubber infill exist: Ambient and Cryogenic. Together these make up the most widely used infill in the synthetic sports field and landscape market. Crumb rubber infill is substantially metal free, and, according to the STC Guidelines for Crumb Rubber Infill, should not contain liberated fiber in an amount that exceeds .01% of the total weight of crumb rubber, or .6 lbs. per ton.

Coated Rubber: Both ambient and cryogenic rubber can be coated with colorants, sealers, or anti-microbial substances if desired. Coated rubber provides additional aesthetic appeal, reduction of dust by products during the manufacturing process and complete encapsulation of the rubber particle.

Density

Turf

The amount of pile fiber in the turf and the closeness of the tufts.

Drainage System

Construction and Installation

An efficient and effective underground drainage system is an integral component of a synthetic turf system, and is designed to carry away the water that percolates through the turf. The system chosen will depend on the use of the field, climate, amount of rainfall and other factors.

Durability

Performance

Durability describes the performance characteristic of the field that relates to the resistance of the synthetic turf system to wear and tear, and the environment. This characteristic is established by testing for such things as abrasion resistance, joint strength, tuft bind, and climatic resistance to UV, water, and heat.

Edge Anchoring

Construction and Installation

Edge anchoring is the system that is designed to be installed at the perimeter of the field to attach to the synthetic turf, anchor it, and transition to whatever abuts the field, such as a running track. The anchor may consist of a concrete curb, a treated wood nailer, a composite material or a trench drain. These may vary by design and region, but should always provide a secure anchor.

Elastic Layer Pad (E-Layer)

Construction and Installation

Elastic layers (E-layers) are poured in-place (in situ) pads and must be installed by specialty contractors. They are completely permeable and are typically comprised of rubber granulate and polyurethane binder. E-layers can vary in thickness (typically 19, 25 or 35mm) and do not have seams typical of other resilient underlayments. These pads are more expensive than rubber, foam or panel shock attenuation systems however, budget allowing, They offer the most consistent surface planarity as well as the most permanent base available for safe g-max levels over the life cycle of multiple surfaces.

Energy Recovery

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

Use of combustible waste as a means to generate energy through direct incineration with or without other waste but with recovery of the heat. Forms of energy recovery include incineration and gasification. Gasification is considered to be more efficient and cleaner.

Environmental Impact

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially, resulting from an organization's activities or products.

EPDM Infill

Infill

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) — EPDM granules are manufactured from synthetic rubber and generally produced from virgin material. Some EPDM are produced from recycled material. EPDM is a polymer elastomer with high resistance to abrasion and wear and will not change its solid form under high temperatures. Typical EPDM colors are green and tan. EPDM has proven its durability as an infill product in all types of climates. Its excellent elasticity properties and resistance to atmospheric and chemical agents provide a stable, high performance infill product.

Face Weight

Turf

The total weight of the yarn/fiber tufted into the backing.

Fiber

Fiber

Typically, the fiber used in synthetic turf is textured and/or non-textured polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, or other suitable performing hybrid or copolymer in tape form or mono-filament. Minimum fiber sizes are 50 microns for polypropylene or polyester, 100 microns for tape form (slit film) polyethylene, 140-300 form mono-filament polyethylene (shape dependent), and 500 denier for nylon. Fibers should be compliant with ASTM guideline for total lead content.

Fiber Size

Fiber

Refers to the denier per filament (dpf) or thickness of a filament. Fiber size impacts resilience, performance and wear.

FIFA

Sport Governing Body

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football) is the international governing body of association football (soccer). FIFA dictates design and performance characteristics required for FIFA approved soccer fields.

G-max

Testing

A field's level of shock absorbency is tested by using a unit of measurement called the g-max, where one "g" represents a single unit of gravity. The peak acceleration reached upon impact of two objects, such a football player and the synthetic turf surface, is the maximum number of g's a field is able to absorb. A field with a higher g-max level loses its ability to absorb the force -- and places more impact on the athlete during a collision, while a surface with a lower g-max absorbs more force, lessening the impact to the athlete. Using ASTM F1936 test method, g-max readings shall not exceed 200 at each test point. With proper maintenance, a synthetic turf field should have a g-max of well below 200. The g-max guideline in the STC's Guidelines for Synthetic Turf Performance is "below 165" for the life of the synthetic turf field.

Industrial Rework (or Post-Industrial Material)

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

Rework generated by a different company or manufacturing plant from the company or manufacturing plant producing the products to this specification and the composition is known by the industrial source of material.

Irrigation

Construction and Installation

Sprinklers and irrigation systems are used for cooling and control of static electricity and dust in synthetic turf systems.

Landfill

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

Waste disposal site for the deposit of waste onto or into land under controlled or regulated conditions.

Lines and Markings

Construction and Installation

Lines and markings, such as sport specific game lines, logos, and numbers, should be applied to the synthetic turf surface in one of three methods: with colored fiber that is either tufted or knitted into the synthetic turf panels during the manufacturing process, installed as inlays, or with temporary or permanent paint that is approved for use on synthetic turf surfaces. Tufted-in or inlaid lines and markings are a permanent part of the surface. Painted lines and markings installed with either permanent or temporary paint require maintenance. Even permanently painted lines require additional paint on a periodic basis.

Maintenance

Maintenance

Maintaining a synthetic turf field is essential for optimum appearance, safety, playing performance, and field longevity. A regular schedule of maintenance should include surface cleaning, debris removal, grooming, and infill redistribution and de-compaction. The maintenance procedures and equipment, as specified by the synthetic turf systems builder and required for the system, should be evaluated during the selection process so that the appropriate budget resources for manpower and equipment may be allocated. Note: Refer to the Synthetic Turf Council’s Suggested Guidelines for the Maintenance of Infilled Synthetic Turf Surfaces, April 2007, for additional information.

Maintenance Log

Maintenance

A maintenance log should be kept to record the maintenance performed on the field as recommended by the field builder.

Material Recovery

Nylon

Fiber

A petrochemical-based fiber invented in 1938. There are two basic types of nylon: Type 6,6 nylon and Type 6 nylon. Nylon is the dominant fiber choice for commercial carpet use due to its wear characteristics.

Organic Infill

Infill

There are several organic infills available in the North American market, all utilizing different organic components, such as natural cork and/or ground fibers from the outside shell of the coconut. These products can be utilized in professional sports applications as well as for landscaping. At the end of its life cycle it can be recycled directly into the environment.

Pad (or Shock Pad)

Construction and Installation

Shock attenuation pads offer an added level of protection and consistent playability to the playing surface and are designed to contribute to a safe g-max level throughout a synthetic turf field’s life. Roll out or panel systems are relatively economical and offer ease of installation. Pads can be permeable or impermeable. Some can replace all or portions of the stone base and provide both shock attenuation and drainage, while others are used in combination with a traditional stone and drainage base. Pads can be placed directly over asphalt or cement stabilized surfaces. Provided care is taken in the turf install/removal process, some last more than one turf life cycle. Some pads are made from recycled materials, while others are made from virgin materials and may be recyclable.

Perforations

Turf

For synthetic turf systems designed to be permeable to water, a system with a fully coated secondary backing will typically have holes punched into the backing at regular internals to provide adequate vertical drainage throughout the system.

Performance Evaluation of Synthetic Turf

Testing

There are three basic categories that define the overall performance of a synthetic turf sports field: ball/surface interaction, player/surface interaction, and durability. Refer to the specific category for its definition.

Permeability

Construction and Installation

Synthetic turf and the base on which it is installed is usually designed to allow for water to percolate through it so that there is no standing water on the surface. Water permeability rates for both the field’s surfacing and the field base materials should be designed to accommodate the local weather and rainfall patterns.

Pigment

Pile

Turf

The visible surface of turf, consisting of yarn tufts. Sometimes called the face or nap.

Pile Height

Turf

The length of the tufts measured from the primary backing top surface to their tips. Pile tufts should be gently extended but not stretched during accurate measurement. This specification is expressed in fractions of an inch or decimal fractions of an inch in the U.S.

Pile Weight

Turf

The weight in ounces of the fiber in a square yard of turf.

Plastics Recycling

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

Process by which plastic materials or products that would otherwise become solid waste are collected, processed, and returned to use in plastic products that have fulfilled their intended purpose or can no longer be used.

Plastics Waste

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

Any plastics material or object that the holder discards, or intends to discard, or is required to discard.

Player-Surface Interaction

Performance

Player-surface interaction describes the performance characteristics of the field that relate to footing, shock absorbency, surface abrasion, and surface stability, for example. These characteristics are determined through testing for vertical deformation, force reduction, traction, slip resistance, energy restitution, abrasiveness, among others. Proper shoe selection is a critical component to the way a player interacts with the playing surface.

Polyethylene

Fiber

A polymer of ethylene, the same material that is used in plastic bags.

Polymer

Fiber

Polymers are large chemical molecules from which synthetic fibers, synthetic infill and backing systems are made. Polymers are complex, chain-like macromolecules which are made by uniting simpler molecules called monomers. Synthetic polymers used for synthetic turf fiber include Type 6 nylon (polyamides), polyethylene and polypropylene.

Polypropylene

Fiber, Backing

A polymer of propylene, the same material that is frequently used in packaging.

Polyurethane

Backing

A polymer of a diisocyanate and usually a polyol. When reacted these materials form a urethane.

Post-Consumer Material

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

Plastics material, generated by the end users of products that has fulfilled its intended purpose or can no longer be used, this includes material returned from within the distribution chain. Post-consumer material is part of the broader category of recovered material.

Post-Industrial Material

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

Plastics waste generated by a manufacturer. See industrial rework.

Post-Installation Testing

Testing

After installation, a field should be tested periodically to record its g-max, and other safety and performance values, to determine if and what remedial maintenance is required. A schedule for on-going testing should be included and understood by the parties. Seams and inlays should be regularly inspected and repaired, as needed.

Primary Backing

Backing

The primary backing materials are of a woven or non-woven fabric in one or more layers which are utilized in the tufting process, or of high strength polyester multi-filament fiber utilized in the knitting process. This backing material provides the initial dimensional stability for the system.

Recovered Material

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

(Plastics) materials and by-products that have been separated, diverted, or removed from the solid waste stream, but not including those materials and by-products generated from the reused within an original manufacturing process. This definition includes post-consumer and post-industrial material only, whether or not plastic material has been commingled, reprocessed, reground or reconstituted.

Recovery

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

Processing of (plastics) waste material for the original purpose or for other purposes including energy recovery.

Recyclate

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

Plastic material resulting from the recycling of plastics.

Recycled Content

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

Percentage by weight of recyclate in a material or product.

Recycled Plastic

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

See recyclate.

Recycling

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

Processing (plastics) waste materials in a manufacturing process for the original purpose or for other purposes, but excluding energy recovery.

Resource Recover

Reuse

Sand (Silica) and Coated Silica Sand Infill

Infill

Pure silica sand is one of the original infilling materials utilized in synthetic turf. This product is a natural infill that is non-toxic, chemically stable and fracture resistant. Silica sand infills are typically tan, off-tan or white in color and - depending upon plant location – may be round or sub-round in particle shape. As a natural product there is no possibility of heavy metals, and the dust/turbidity rating is less than 100. It can be used in conjunction with many other infills on the market to provide a safe and more realistic playing surface. The round shape plays an integral part in the synthetic turf system. It is important that silica sand have a high purity (greater than 90%) to resist crushing and absorption of bacteria and other field contaminants. Silica sand can either be coated with different materials as a standalone product or can be used to firm up in combination with traditional crumb rubber infill systems.

Coated Silica Sand. This class of infill consists of coated, high-purity silica sand with either a soft or rigid coating specifically engineered for synthetic turf. These coatings are either elastomeric or acrylic in nature (non-toxic) and form a bond with the sand grain sealing it from bacteria to provide superior performance and durability over the life of a field. Coated sand is available in various sizes to meet the application’s needs.

Depending on the amount and type of infill, coated sands can either be used with or without a pad and are available in various colors. All of the coatings are non-toxic and are bonded to the quartz grain for superior performance and durability over the life of your field. These materials are typically used as a homogenous infill which provides both ballast and shock absorbing qualities to a synthetic turf application.

Seam

Construction and Installation

Synthetic turf materials are manufactured in panels or rolls that are usually 15 feet wide. Each panel or roll should be attached to the next with a seam to form the fabric of the field. Seams should be glued with a supplemental backing material or sewn with high strength sewing thread. The bonding or fastening of all system material components should provide a permanent, tight, secure, and hazard-free athletic playing surface. Seam gaps should be uniform. For tufted infill systems the gap between the fibers should not exceed the gauge of the tufting.

Seaming Tape

Construction and Installation

Seaming tape is commonly used for seams and/or inlaid lines and markings. The tape is comprised of a fabric that should be installed below the backing material on both sides of a seam or inlay. The fabric used for seaming tape should provide dimensional strength and enough surface texture to bond well with the adhesive.

Seam Repair

Maintenance

Seams that open or become loose may require some immediate and temporary gluing until they can be inspected and corrected by the installation builder. The gluing should conform to the written maintenance suggested guidelines provided by the synthetic turf vendor.

Secondary Backing

Backing

The secondary backing materials are applied through a coating process with a single or multiple applications of one or various materials. A tufted fabric typically receives a suitable coating of polyurethane, latex, hot melt, or other coatings or fabrics in various weight and thickness configurations, depending on individual system design. The secondary backing provides an additional level of tuft bind and structural integrity to the synthetic turf.

Shock Pad

Construction and Installation

See pad.

Shredding

Resource Recovery (ASTM D7209)

Any mechanical process by which plastics waste is fragmented into irregular pieces of any dimension or shape.

Synthetic Fiber

TPE Infill

Infill

Thermo plastic elastomer (TPE) infill is non-toxic, heavy metal free, available in a variety of colors that resist fading, very long lasting, and 100% recyclable and reusable as infill when the field is replaced. TPE infill, when utilizing virgin-based resins, will offer consistent performance and excellent g-max over a wide temperature range. The chemical composition of this type of colored infill granules are in general made of copolymers of ethylene, butadiene, and styrene or are polyurethane elastomers utilizing of isocyanides depending on the formula.

Tuft

Turf

A cluster of yarns drawn through a fabric and projecting from the surface in the form of cut yarns.

Tuft Bind

Testing

The force (usually measured in pounds) required to pull a tuft from the turf backing. Also known as tuft lock.